ZBrushCentral

Zapplink not picking anything up? HELP

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi guys, this is my first time posting a thread and I really hope this is the right place for my question.

I’m a modeling newb not only to zbrush but the whole modeling process as a whole. I was following an online tutorial for using Zapplink to texturize a high-res mesh in zbrush. I droped the model into photoshop using Zapplink and did my edits and everything seems fine. However, when I go back into zbrush, Zapplink did not present me with the option to pick up my model. It just says (unchanged).

I tried a bit of everything, but no matter what I do, the option for z(pick up) is just not there. I don’t know what I’m missing.

Here is a detailed list of what I did to get to this step:
-Imported a base mesh from maya to zbrush
-use the base mesh to make a high poly model in zbrush with many levels
-exported the lvl1 of my model as an obj
-UV mapped the obj file in 3d-coat then import the now UVed lvl1 mesh back into zbrush
-Select a color from the color pallet, go into Texture Map, make sure texture is turned on and clicked New Txtr. (this fills my model with the color I selected)
-Having done all that, I assume it means my zbrush model now have both UV and a new texture. (which seems to be prerequisit for using Zapplink.
-I click Zapplink under document, which automatically brings the image into photoshop.
-I add whatever reference image I want and merge the new layers with layer 1. (so everything remains the same)
-save the photoshop file
-alt tab back into zbrush… OK(unchanged)…

WHAT AM I DOING WHRONG!!!??? I’m losing hair fast.

#2

A couple of things to try:

  1. When going back to ZBrush you should get a ‘Re-Check’ option. Be sure to press this as the dialog is often launched automatically by the plugin before Photoshop is launched.

  2. In Photoshop, instead of merging the layers, select Layer 1, Ctrl+A to select all then press Delete to clear its contents. Now switch to the layer with your photo, select it and paste into Layer 1. Because Layer 1 is empty the photo should paste OK. Delete the photo layer, save and return to ZBrush.

#3

Thanks for such a quick response. Its much appreciated. Unfortunatly, neither of the methods mentioned made any difference. Zapplink still giving me the finger lol.

#4

What version of ZBrush are you using?

#5

I’m using 4R5. Initially, the Zapplink wouldn’t even drop the image, but after I instaled the appropriate patch it can now drop the image to photoshop just fine. Only it won’t pick it back up…

#6

Any particular reason you’re not using ZB 4R6 P2?

#7

lol I guess not. Like I said I’m pretty new to modeling, this just happens to be the version I was given. I’m currently trying out something similar to zbrush’s Zapplink. Its on 3d-coat. The function is pretty similar, and its actually picking up my photoshop image.

#8

i had a similar issue years ago, it had to do a little quirk zbrush has with switching between screens.

any toggle between screens can make zapplink lose it connection with the file it pushed to the external program.

hit zapplink, photoshop will launch, the zbrush screen will be right behind it.
do your work in photoshop when done hit save, then X out of photoshop, the zbrush screen with then read the changes that were made in photoshop.

it sounds silly but it will work.

#9

hey guys I was having this exact same issue. it seems as though saving photoshop, closing and hitting re-check in zbrush enabled zapplink to present the coveted “Re-Enter Zbrush” button which allowed me to pick up the edited image. Thank you all for your contributions and thanks especially to Zeddie on that last life saving post - I hope this works too for the OP